Sunil Narine delivered with bat and ball as the Trinbago Knight Riders ended a three-match losing streak with a commanding seven-wicket victory over the Barbados Tridents on Friday night.
Playing before their home crowd at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, the Knight Riders restricted the Tridents to 127 for nine before racing to 128 for three in just 14.5 overs.
Narine led the attack with two wickets for 14 runs before returning to smash 55 from 33 balls, including five sixes. His all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
Colin Munro added 37 from 26 deliveries and shared a 95-run opening partnership with Narine, putting the Knight Riders firmly in control of the chase.
Earlier, the Tridents struggled against TKR’s spin-heavy attack after being sent in to bat.
Zachary Carter top-scored with 28, while captain Chris Green contributed a brisk 27 from 17 balls. Kieron Pollard also claimed two wickets for 19 runs as the Tridents were limited to a below-par total.
Green admitted his side failed to develop an effective plan against Narine and Usman Tariq on a difficult surface.
“It was a disappointing score to post,” he said. “They’ve got some high-class spinners in Narine and Tariq. That proved impossible.”
Narine, reflecting on another match-winning performance, credited his natural ability.
“It’s a God-given talent I have, and I’m just trying to utilise it as much as possible,” he said.
TKR captain Nicholas Pooran also thanked the home supporters for standing behind the team.
“We love them, honestly, and we look forward to coming to Trinidad and playing in front of them and trying to put a smile on their faces,” Pooran said.
The victory moved the Knight Riders to four points from five matches, level with the Tridents, who have played four.
TKR will return to Queen’s Park Oval on Saturday, August 29, to face the Jamaica Kingsmen.
